Longitudinally reciprocatable, slidable action, multi-contact relay



April l2, 1966 D A. cAPUTo 3,246,101

LONGITUDINALLY' RECIPROCATABLE, SLIDABLE A ACTION, MULTI-CONTACT RELAY Flled June l2, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fla/jl 4 ,5

E/A l 2s 2/Cl l A [7C lllllllIllIlllA/ /41 INVENTOR. DANTE A. CAPUTO April 12, 1966 D. A. cAPuTo 3,245,101 LONGITUDINALLY RECIPROCATABLE, SLIDABLE ACTION, MULTI-CONTACT RELAY Filed June l2, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Slc 7 INVENTOR.

DANTE A. CAPUTO Aprll l2, 1966 D. A. cAPu-ro 3,246,101

LONGITUDINALLY RECIPROCATABLE, SLIDABLE ACTION, MULTI-CONTACT RELAY Filed June l2, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 8

y ma@ v0@ INVENTOR. DANTE A. CAPUTO prll 12, 1966 D. A. CAPUTO 3,246,101

LONGITUDINALLY RECIPROCATABLE, SLIDABLE ACTION, MULTI-CONTACT RELAY Filed June l2, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. IO

INVENTOR. DANTE A CAPUTO April l2, 1966 D. A. cAPu'ro 3,245,101

LONGITUDINALLY RECIPROCATABLE, SLIDABLE ACTION, MULTI-CONTACT RELAY 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June l2, 1963 l l ,lfd

FIG.

FIG. INVENTOR.

DANTE A. CAPUTO United States Patent O 3,246,101 LONGITUDINALLY RECIPROCATABLE, SLID- ABLE ACTION, MULTI-CONTACT RELAY Dante A. Caputo, 4049 Mount Vernon Drive, Los Angeles 47, Calif.

Filed June 12, 1963, Ser. No. 287,330 2 Claims. (Cl. ZOO-104) The present invention consists of a longitudinally reciprocatable, slidable action, multicontact relay including electrically energizable translatory motor means -for controlling the slidable positions of the multiple contacts. Various ones of the multiple contacts may be arranged to be normally open except `when energized, normally closed except when energized, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, certain of the contacts may be arranged t-o be in electrical engagement in either of two positions for connection to those of the contacts which are connected at one position and disconnected in another position. In other words, various permutations and combinations of interconnections of the multiple contacts, and/ or various circuit elements which may be connected thereto, are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, in one specic form of the present invention, two opposed electrically energizable translatory motor means may be employed for sliding the multiple contacts of the relay in either of two directions tor appropriate connection or disconnection with respect to other sets of stationary multiple contacts, thus providing an even greater number of possible permutations and combinations.

It should be noted that the novel relay of the present invention is particularly advantageous from the standpoint of minimizing arcing and pitting of the multiple contacts because of the novel sliding engagement and disengagement of the contacts.

Furthermore, it should `be noted that the novel relay of the present invention is highly advantageous for use under environmental conditions which might undesirably affect conventional relays. For example, the novel relay of the present invention comprises a closed structure and variations in latmospheric pressure will have little ellect upon the action of the relay. In other words, undesirable arcing (and consequent pitting of the contacts) will not occur at low atmospheric pressures as frequently occurs in conventional prior art relays `when operated `at low atmospheric pressure conditions.

Furthermore, the novel relay of the present invention, when properly transversely oriented, is relatively non-subject to vibration and acceleration forces-that is, false operation of the relay will not occur under such condi* tions, as frequently occurs under such conditions with conventional prior art relays.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel multicontact relay of the character referred to `above which is of extremely simple, inexpensive, foolproof construction such as to be conductive to widespread use thereof.

For the purpose of clarifying the nature of the present invention, several exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the hereinbelow, described gures of the accompanying drawings and are described in detail hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal view taken in the direction of the arrows 1--1 of FIG. 4 and is partly in section and partly in elevation. This view shows one exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprising a multiple contact relay wherein the opposed relay contacts are normally positioned in electrically engaged relationship when the single electrically energizable translatory motor means is electrically de-energized as is shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 after energization of the translatory motor means, which electively moves the plunger-car- 3,246,101 Patented Apr. 12, 1966 ice ried electrical contacts out of engagement, or into contact-open relationship, with respect to the stationary electrical contacts.

FIG. 3 is a View of just a fragmentary central portion of a slightly modied form of the relay shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein it is normally in contact-open position when the translatory motor means is deenergized and wherein it is adapted to move into contact-closed position when the translatory motor means is energized.

FIG. 4 is ya cross-sectional View of the first embodiment of the invention along a plane such as that indicated by the arrows 4-4 of FIG. l.

FIG. 5 is an exterior perspective View of the rst form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. The modication shown `in FIG. 3 would also exteriorly appear exactly as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal central view of aspect similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating another slight modication of the invention wherein a greater number of contacts are included in the relay, thus illustrating the versatility of the novel relay of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal central view of aspect similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating another modified form of the invention which includes a number of diiierent types of multiple contact sets and which includes twin opposed electrically energizable translatory motor means for operating the plunger, and contacts carried thereby, in either direction from a central neutral position.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary central sectional view, `with certain exterior portions removed, generally similar to FIG. 4. That is, it is afragmentarycross-.sectionalView. However, this view diters from FIG. 4 in that it shows that multiple contacts may be transversely arranged in both the movable plunger and adjacent stationary portions in addition to being longitudinally arranged therealong. This type of construction with any desired number of laterally spaced contacts, may be employed in any of the different versions of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal central view of aspect similar to FIG. l but illustrating another modified form of the invention consisting of twin relays in a single housing, each having an individual translatory motor means and `with one of the plungers being normally positioned so that the multiple contacts are in closed relationship and with the other of the plungers being normally positioned so that the multiple contacts are in open relationship.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal central plane sectional View through another Vmodified form of the invention which is quite similar to the form illustrated in FIG. l in many respects, but which has fewer contacts and which has a different type of contact biasing arrangement. This modiication is of the type normally in contact-closed position Ywhen the translatory motor means is deenergized and adapted to be moved into contact-open position when the translatory motor means is energized.

FIG. 1l is an exterior perspective view of the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. l0.

FIG. l2 is a longitudinal central plane sectional view through another modied form of the invention which is quite similar to the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7 and which includes twin opposed electrically energizable translatory motor means for operating lthe plunger and the contacts carried thereby in either direction from la central neutral position. However, this modification has fewer contacts and a different type of contact biasing arrangement from the form illustrated in FIG. 7. This modification is of the type normally in contact-open position when both of the translatory motor means `are deenergized but adapted to be moved into either of two different types of contactclosed relationship in accordance with the energization of either of said translatory moto means.

FIG. 13 is an exterior perspective view of the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 for exemplary purposes, one illustrative embodiment of the invention takes a typical exemplary form wherein it comprises a housing, such as is indicated generally at 10, defining a plunger recess therein such as is indicated at 11. In the example illustrated, the housing consists of two similar mating half portions 16A and 161B joined together along a center line 12 and fastened together by suitable threaded fastener means 13. Positioned within the housing lil are two opposed contact-cairrying outer portions 14 of insulating material provided with biasing spring means 15 biasing them inwardly toward the central part of the plunger chamber 11. Each of the spring-biased portions 14 canies first electrical -contact means, indicated generally at i5, such as the electrically conductive contact elements 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D. Each of the contacts 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D is provided with electrically conductive members 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D, respectively, leading to corresponding terminals 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D, respectively, which are provided with corresponding exterior leads 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D for appropriate connection to suitable exterior electric circuitry and/ or components which are to be connected in various desired ways.

The first form of the invention also includes a plunger 20 mounted within the plunger recess 1.1 for relative reciprocation or slidable movement with respect to the housing 10. The plunger is provided with outwardly directed second electrical contact means, indicated generally at 21, and in the example illustrated including projecting electrically conductive contact elements 21A, 21B, 21C, and 21D, with the contacts 21A. and 21B being connected by an electrically conductive member 22 and with the contacts 21C and 21D being connected by the electrically conductive member 23. The arrangement is such that normally the contacts 16A and 21A are in electrically conductive engagement and the contacts 16B and 21B are in electrically conductive engagement, thus electrically connecting together the exterior leads 19A and 19B when the plunger 20 is in the normal deenergized unactuated position shown in FIG. 1. The arrangement is also such that normally the contacts 16C and 21C are in electrically, conductive engagement and the contacts 16D and 21D are in electrically conductive engagement, thus electrically connecting together the exterior leads 19C and 19D, when the plunger 2d is in the normal deenergized unactuated position shown in FIG. 1.

It should also be noted that the first embodiment of the invention includes translatory motor means, such as is indicated generally at 24, effectively interconnecting the housing 1d and the plunger 20 for causing relative movement thereof between the normal deenergized unactuated position shown in FIG. 1 and the rightwardly displaced, energized, actuated position shown in FIG. 2, which disconnects the first electrical contact means 16 and the second electrical contact means 21 from each other, as is clearly shown in FIG. 2, thus effectively disconnecting the exterior circuit portions 19A and 19B and the exterior circuit portions 19C and 19D.

In the specific example illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the translatory motor means indicated generally at 24 is of the solenoid type and comprises a solenoid coil 25 cooperating with a ferromagnetic armature 26 which is connected by a stem 27 and a through-connecting rod 28 to the plunger 20.

The connecting rod 28 has a non-magnetic head portion 29 which forcibly abuts a compression spring 30 which normally forces the head portion 29 toward the left into the normal unactuated position shown in FIG. 1. I-Iowever, energization of the solenoid coil 25 attracts the armature 26 toward the right and causes the head portion 29 to forcibly compress the spring 30 into the extreme rightwardly actuated position shown in FIG. 2.

As soon as the solenoid coil 25 is deenergized by breaking the supply of electric power to one of the solenoid power supply leads 3ft, the compression spring 30 will return the armature 26 and the plunger 20 to the leftward unactuated position shown in FIG. l.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to the central position of the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and similar parts are indicated by similar reference numerals, primed, however. It should be understood that the broken-away and/or removed portions are identical to those illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this modification, the second electrical contact means 21 are initially so positioned as to be leftwardly offset from, and out of electrically conductive relationship with respect to, the first electrical contact means indicated generally at 16. However, as soon as a translatory motor means of the type shown at 24 in FIGS. 1 and 2 is energized, the plunger 2d moves toward the right and said first and second electrical contact means indicated generally at 16' and 21 will then be in precisely the same electrically conductive relationship as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, in this slight modification, the normal position of the contact means is open and the energized position is closed, which is precisely the reverse of the contact arrangement illustrated in FIGS. l and 2.

FIG. 6 illustrates another slight modification of the invention and similar parts will be indicated by similar reference numerals, followed by the letter a', however.

In this modification, each of the inwardly spring-biased outer insulating portions 14a carries twice as many electrical contact means 16a along the length thereof than in the first form of the invention illustrated. This is also true in regard to the second electrical contact means 21a carried by the plunger 20a. Therefore, there are correspondingly greater number of electrically conductive members extending from the first electrical contact elements 16a to the exterior leads indicated generally at 19a than in the first form of the invention.

Also, the opposed electrical contact elements of the second electrical contact means, indicated generally at 21a, aire directly connected -across by electrically conductive members 32, 33, 34, and 35 in lieu of the longitudinal connections of contact elements on similar sides of the plunger 20 by the electrically conductive members 22 and 23 in the first form of the invention. This provides a different type of multicontact switching arrangement for the eight exterior circuit leads indicated generally at 19a.

in this modification, it should be noted that each contact element of the first electrical contact means 16a is in electrically conductive relationship with respect to the corresponding element of the second electrical contact means 21a when the plunger 20a is in the normal unactuated position shown in FIG. 6. However, it will readily be understood that when the plunger 20a is moved toward the right into fully actuated position similar to that shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the first form of the invention, as a result of energiz-ation of a translatory motor means similar to that shown at 24 in the first form of the invention, all of the previously electrically conductively engaged sets of contacts will be moved into open relationship.

FIG. 7 illustrates a further modification of the invention which includes two opposed translatory motor means 24h and 24e lat opposite ends of the housing 10b and connected by connecting rod means 28h and 2SC to opposite ends of the plunger 20h for controllably actuating it either toward the right or toward the left in response to the application of electrical energy to the left solenoid energizing leads Bib or to the right solenoid energizing leads 31e, respectively.

The biasing springs 15b, in this modification of the invention, are of a different type from those shown at 15 in the first form of the invention.

The inwardly spring-biased outer insulating members Mb, in this form of the invention, carry a plurality of contact elements comprising the first electrical contact means indicated generally at 16h, with the various contacts of said set including a spaced pair at the left adapted to be closed with respect to the corresponding Contact of at 2lb, upon movement of the plunger 2Gb in either direction.

Said first contact elements 16b also include a substan- ,tially' centrally positioned contact element in each of the insulating members 14b adapted to be connected to the corresponding one of the second contact meands 2lb only upon rightward movement of the plunger 2Gb in response lto energization of the left solenoid 2411.

Furthermore, the extreme right one of the contact elements 1Gb carried by each of the outer members 1419 is of substantial longitudinal extent adapted to be in electrically conductive engagement with the corresponding Contact element of the second electrical contact means 2lb when the plunger 20b is in the neutral unactuated position shown in FIG. 7 or is in a leftwardly actuated position asa result of energization of the right solenoid 24C. However, upon rightward actuation of the plunger 20h, as a result of energization of the left solenoid 24b, this electrical engagement is broken. The corresponding exterior electrical circuitlead connections indicated generally at. the left at 19h and at the right at 19t` are 'adapted to be connected to suitable electric circuit portions and/or components to provide various types of switching arrangements.4 The opposed elements of the second electrical contact means 2lb are connected across the plunger 20b by electrically conductive members 32b, 33h, and 34b, in this particular illustrated form of the invention, although various other interconnections may be employed.

FIG. 8 illustrates an arrangement which may be ernployed in any of the forms of the invention illustrated in the other figures. In this fragmentary View, the upper and lower insulating blocks 14d each carries, transversely across the width direction thereof, twin electrical contact elements of the first electrical contact means, indicated generally at 16d, while the plunger 20d correspondingly carries on both its upper and lower surfaces, twin transversely spaced electrical contact elements of the second electrical contact means, indicated generally at 21d, thus providing Van arrangement which, in any of the embodiments of the invention shown in the other figures, would double the number of Contact elements. However, this is illustrative only, and does not limit the Vinvention to twin transversely spaced sets of contact elements. Actually, any desired number of transversely spaced sets of contact elements might be employed in the manner of the teaching shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further modification of the inven- 4tion which includes twin translatory motor means 24e and 24j positioned on the same side of the housing 10e and coupled by connecting rod means 28e and 281 to corresponding plunger means e and Zflf for individual and selective actuation thereof from the normal unactuated positions shown in FIG. 9 into rightwardly displaced actuated positions similar to that illustrated in FIG.` 2 showing the first form of the invention. In the case'of the upper plunger 20e, this will move the second contact means, indicated generally at 21e out of the normal electrically conductive engagement with the first electrical Contact means, indicated generally at 16e, into an open position of the general type shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the first form of the invention. In the case of rightward actuation of the lower plunger 20], this will move the second Contact means, indicated generally at 21j from the normally open position shown in FIG. 9 into electrically conductive engagement with the second electrical contact means indicated generally at 16j.

It should be noted that the second contact means 21e are connected across the plunger 20e by the electrically conductive member 32e and that the electrical contact means 21f are connected across the lower plunger 201 by-an electrically conductive member 32f.

the second electrical contact means, indicated generally The composite arrangement illustrated in FIG. 9 provides a very flexible multiple switching arrangement whereby various types of interconnections and/ or arrangements for energizing the solenoids 25e and/ or 25j by way of the leads 31e and/or 31f may be employed for connecting the four exterior leads 19e and 191 in virtually any desired manner and for various complex switching purposes.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate another slight modification of the invention very similar to the first form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Therefore, similar parts are indicated by similar reference numerals, doubly primed, however. It will be noted that, in this modification, the housing 10 is different in two major respects from the housing 10 of the first form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. One of these diferences comprises the fact that the modified housing 10" does not have a projecting lower portion similar to that shown at the bottom of FIGS. l and 2, and the other of these differences comprises the fact that the modified housing 10" is not formed of two similar mating half portions such as shown at 10A and 10B in FIG. 5 illustrating the first form of the invention, but is formed of a rear portion 10A and a front cover portion 10B, joined together along a non-centrally positioned junction line or plane I2 and fastened together by the threaded fastener means 13 in a manner similar to the first form of the invention as best illustrated in FIGS. l, 2 and 5.

In this modified form of the invention, it will be noted that the plunger recess 11" is differently shaped from the plunger recess 11 of the first form of the invention and receives a somewhat differently shaped plunger 20 therein, which might effectively be called a one-sided plunger as opposed to the two-sided structure of the plunger 20 of the first form of the invention as best illustrated in FIGS. l, 2 and 4. This modified plunger 20" has a recess 3-5 formed therein and transversely slidably receiving a projecting operating tongue member 37 therein lwhereby to operate the contact-carrying element .38 which carries the pair of projecting electrically conductive contact elements 21A" and 21B" which correspond to the similar projecting contact elements indicated at 21A and 21B in the first form of the invention best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. Said projecting contact elements are normally in electrically conductive engagement with the corresponding contact elements 16A and 16B" carried by the single opposed contactcarrying outer portion 14 of insulating material which is fastened to the adjacent portion of the housing 10 by fastening screws 39.

In this modification, the forcible biasing of the projecting contacts 21A and 21B toward the fixed outer contact 16A and 16B is provided by a modified biasing spring means, indicated at 15" which comprises a coil compression spring symmetrically mounted around the projecting tongue 37 transversely slidably mounted in the recess 36 and seated against the contact-carrying element 38 at one end and against the plunger means 20 at the other end whereby to forcibly separate them. In other respects, this modification of the invention is substantially identical, in structure and mode of operation, to the first form of the invention best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 and, therefore, no further description of this modification is thought necessary.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate another slight modification of the invention very similar to the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7. Therefore, similar parts are indicated by similar reference numerals, primed, however. It will be noted that, in this modification, the housing 10b is different in two major respects from the housing 10b of the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7. One of these differences comprises the fact that the modified housing 10b does not have a projecting lower portion similar to that shown at the bottom of FIG. 7, and other of these differences comprises the fact that the modified housing 10b' is not formed of two mating half portions joined together along a central plane in a manner analogous t the showing of FIG. 7, but is formed of a rear portion Ab and a front cover portion fiBb' joined together along a non-centrally positioned junction line or plane 12b and fastened together by the threaded fastener means 13b in a manner similar to the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7, and also similar to the first form of the invention, as best shown in FIG. 5.

In this modified form of the invention it will be noted that the plunger recess 1lb is differently shaped from the plunger recess lib of the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7 in a manner generally similar to the modified shape of the plunger recess shown at l1" in FIG. l0, and receives a slightly modified plunger Zti'b which does not directly carry any outwardly projecting contact elements similar to those shown as being carried by the plunger in FIG. 7. This modified plunger Ztl'b might be effectively termed a one-sided plunger as opposed tothe two-sided structure of the plunger 2Gb of FIG. 7. This modified plunger 2Gb has a recess 36 formed therein and transversely slidably receiving a projecting operating tongue member 37 therein whereby to operate the contact-carrying element 38 which carries the pair of projecting electrically conductive elements 21Ab and 21Bb' which correspond to the similar projecting contact elements indicated at 21Ab and ZIBb in the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7. Said projecting contact elements are normally out of engagement with the four corresponding outer contact elements 16Ab, 16Bb, 16Cb, and 16Db, carried by the single opposed contactcarrying outer portion 14b of insulating material which is fastened to the adjacent portion of the housing 10b by fastening screws 39.

In this modification, the forcible biasing of the projecting contacts 21Ab and ZlBb toward the four iixed outer contacts is provided by a modiiied biasing spring means, indicated at 15b which comprises a -coil compression spring symmetrically mounted around the projecting tongue 37 transversely slidably mounted in the recess 36 and seated against the contact-carrying element 38' at one end and against the plunger means 26h at the other end whereby to forcibly separate them. In other respects, this modification of the invention is substantially identical, in structure and mode of operation, to the form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7 and, therefore, no further description 0f this modification is thought necessary.

It should be noted that, preferably, the various elements of the invention other than the electrical contact means, electrically conductive members, terminals and leads, the biasing springs, the solenoid coil, and the solenoid armature, are made of suitable electrical insulating material such as molded plastic, rubber, or the like, although various other suitable materials may be employed.

It should also be noted that the invention lends itself very well to sealed leak-tight construction for use where exposure of the contacts might be undesirable or dangerous, such as explosive atmospheres, or the like, or where environmental conditions might tend to produce early failure of operation of the relay. For example, if the relay were to be immersed in sea water or were to be placed in any other substantially electrically conductive medium, there might be a tendency for the contacts to short out. However, the sealed form of the present invention would prevent this from occurring.

It should be understood that the iigures and the speciic description thereof set forth in this application are for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention to the precise and detailed specific structure shown in the figures and specifically described hereinbefore. Rather, the real invention is intended to include substantially equivalent constructions embodying the basic teachings .and inventive concept of the present invention.

I claim:

l. A longitudinally reciprocatable, slidable action, multiple-contact relay including electrically energizable means for controlling the slidable position of the multiple contacts thereof, comprising: a housing defining a plunger recess therein and having first electrical contact means directed toward said plunger recess; a plunger mounted within said plunger recess for relative reciprocation with respect to the housing and being effectively provided with second electrical Contact means having at least a portion positioned for electrical engagement with a corresponding portion of said first electrical contact means when in one longitudinal position with respect to said housing and for electrical disengagement from said corresponding portion of said iirst electrical Contact means when in a second longitudinal position with respect to said housing; said plunger comprising a main operating portion and at least one outwardly spring-biased portion transversely slidably coupled `with respect to, and positioned outwardly spacedly adjacent to, said main operating portion of said plunger and carrying said second electrical Contact means for spring-biased opposition to said first electrical contact means; and electrically energizable and de-energizable translatory motor means provided with opposed biasing spring means eiiectively interconnecting the housing and the plunger, said translatory ymotor means being controllably electrically energizable for causing relative movement of said housing and said plunger between said longitudinal positions against a return force exerted relative to said plunger and housing by said opposed biasing spring means, and said biasing spring means being operable upon electrical de-energization of said motor means for causing relative movement of said housing and plunger between said longitudinal positions in a direction opposite to the relative movement caused by electrical energization of said motor means.

2. A longitudinally reciprocatable, slidable action, multiple-contact relay including electrically energizable means for controlling the slidable position of the multiple contacts thereof, comprising: a housing defining a plunger recess therein and having a plurality of iirst electrical contact means directed toward said plunger recess; a plunger mounted within said plunger recess for relative reciprocation with respect to the housing and being effectively provided with a plurality of second electrical contact rmeans positioned for electrical engagement of at least a certain portion thereof with a certain portion of said plurality of iirst electrical contact means when in one extreme longitudinal position with respect to said housing, positioned for electrical engagement of at least a certain portion thereof with a different certain portion of said plurality of first electrical contact means when in another extreme longitudinal position with respect to said housing, and for electrical disengagement of at least certain of said portions of said first and second electrical contact means when in a third intermediate longitudinal position with respect to said housing; and a pair of individually electrically energizable translatory motor means and opposed centering biasing spring means effectively interconnecting the housing and the plunger, said pair of motor means being individually controllably electrically energizable for causing a corresponding type of relative movement of said housing and said plunger into a corresponding one of said extreme longitudinal positions, and said opposed centering biasing spring means being operable upon electrical de-energization of said translatory motor means for causing oppositely directed centering biasing spring-force-produced relative movement of the plunger and lhousing into said intermediate longitudinal position, said plunger comprising a main operating portion and at least one transversely slidably coupled outwardly spring-biased portion positioned outwardly spacedly adjacent to said main operating portion of said plunger and carrying said second electrical contact means 9 10 for spring-biased opposition to said first electrical `con- 2,730,630 1/ 1956 Bruno 200-16 X tact means. 2,886,671 5/1959 Steward, et al. 20G-16 X References Cited by the Examiner BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 ROBERT S. MACON, Examiner.

1,257,613 2/ 1918 Kocourek. R. N. ENVALL, JR., Assistant Examiner.

1,460,785 7/1923 Buckley 317-190 X 

2. A LONGITUDINALLY RECIPROCATABLE, SLIDABLE ACTION, MULTIPLE-CONTACT RELAY INCLUDING ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZABLE MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE SLIDABLE POSITION OF THE MULTIPLE CONTACTS THEREOF, COMPRISING: A HOUSING DEFINING A PLUNGER RECESS THEREIN AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF FIRST ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS DIRECTED TOWARD SAID PLUNGER RECESS; A PLUNGER MOUNTED WITHIN SAID PLUNGER RECESS FOR RELATIVE RECIPROCATION WITH RESPECT TO THE HOUSING AND BEING EFFECTIVELY PROVIDED WITH A PLURALITY OF SECOND ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS POSITIONED FOR ELECTRICAL ENGAGEMENT OF AT LEAST A CERTAIN PORTION THEREOF WITH A CERTAIN PORTION OF SAID PLURALITY OF FIRST ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS WHEN IN ONE EXTREME LONGITUDINAL POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID HOUSING, POSITIONED FOR ELECTRICAL ENGAGEMENT OF AT LEAST A CERTAIN PORTION THEREOF WITH A DIFFERENT CERTAIN PORTION OF SAID PLURALITY OF FIRST ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS WHEN IN ANOTHER EXTREME LONGITUDINAL POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID HOUSING, AND FOR ELECTRICAL DISENGAGEMENT OF AT LEAST CERTAIN OF SAID PORTIONS OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS WHEN IN A THIRD INTERMEDIATE LONGITUDINAL POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID HOUSING; AND A PAIR OF INDIVIDUALLY ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZABLE TRANSLATORY MOTOR MEANS AND OPPOSED CENTERING BIASING SPRING MEANS EFFECTIVELY INTERCONNECTING THE HOUSING AND THE PLUNGER, SAID PAIR OF MOTOR MEANS BEING INDIVIDUALLY CONTROLLABLY ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZABLE FOR CAUSING A CORRESPONDING TYPE OF RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID HOUSING AND SAID PLUNGER INTO A CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID EXTREME LONGITUDINAL POSITIONS, AND SAID OPPOSED CENTERING BIASING SPRING MEANS BEING OPERABLE UPON ELECTRICAL DE-ENERGIZATION OF SAID TRANSLATORY MOTOR MEANS FOR CAUSING OPPOSITELY DIRECTED CENTERING BIASING SPRING-FORCE-PRODUCED RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF THE PLUNGER AND HOUSING INTO SAID INTERMEDIATE LONGITUDINAL POSITION, SAID PLUNGER COMPRISING A MAIN OPERATING PORTION AND AT LEAST ONE TRANSVERSELY SLIDABLY COUPLED OUTWARDLY SPRING-BIASED PORTION POSITIONED OUTWARDLY SPACEDLY ADJACENT TO SAID MAIN OPERATING PORTION OF SAID PLUNGER AND CARRYING SAID SECOND ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS FOR SPRING-BIASED OPPOSITION TO SAID FIRST ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS. 